Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether pupils transferring from primary school to secondary school who are currently entitled to free school meals will carry with them a continuing entitlement under the new arrangements; and if that entitlement ceases, how many children will be affected in each year to 2027.

Pupils eligible for free school meals will retain eligibility when transferring from primary to secondary school under the new system.

During the period of Universal Credit (UC) rollout, those who claim free school meals will retain their eligibility even if their income rises above £7,400, because of the protections the government has put in place. At the end of UC rollout, those children who were protected – if they are still in school – will continue to be protected until the end of their phase of education (such as primary or secondary school).

The department has not produced forecasts of the number of children receiving free school meals, protected or otherwise, that transition between primary and secondary school.